tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post3958018428391459666..comments2024-03-29T08:31:54.659+00:00Comments on Penniless Parenting: Getting Kids to Be Happy With LessPenniless Parentinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-58906851166152677252014-02-20T20:58:37.305+00:002014-02-20T20:58:37.305+00:00Sorry for such a late reply-- He is totally happy ...Sorry for such a late reply-- He is totally happy and will often find ways to be creative with finances. For example, this past Valentine's Day, he exchanged gifts with his new baby sister- he got her a stuffed animal, and she got him a nerf gun- both from the .25 bin at the thrift store. I wanted to encourage them to exchange gifts in order for them to grow their sibling bond over the Heatherhttp://www.frugalgreenbaby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-62336209286416345262014-01-06T09:26:16.971+00:002014-01-06T09:26:16.971+00:00Growing up christmas gifts were a "BIG thing&...Growing up christmas gifts were a "BIG thing". Especially for my father. As a family, in december, we would drive an hour to go to paris biggest department stores (they have beautiful toys displays & more...). I think my father would have bought me anything (unless it was a horse ! ^^). It was just too much. Actually, my favorite memory of those silly trips is buying roasted cecilenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-13305431185796425632014-01-05T01:45:32.091+00:002014-01-05T01:45:32.091+00:00Awesome! Thank you.
I have to second the concept ...Awesome! Thank you.<br /><br />I have to second the concept of being somewhat open about finances. When I reviewed my own growing-up ideas of money I quickly determined that I wanted my own children to be less ignorant than I was. :) And, like you've said, keeping the theme of God's faithful provision as the foundation to our wise decisions has grown in them a sense of content and Laurienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-46470697297871304262013-12-29T14:44:34.186+00:002013-12-29T14:44:34.186+00:00This post was a breath of fresh air compared to al...This post was a breath of fresh air compared to all the rich, materialistic parents out there. Thank you so much for sharing this opinion. Although some people might not agree with you, I think you have a wonderful approach to Christmas and presents. After all, spending time with the family is what's really important. Linda Olsenhttp://www.athomemicrodermabrasionexpert.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-66459274324706929142013-12-29T04:06:03.294+00:002013-12-29T04:06:03.294+00:00We have a$2 coin called a Toonie in Canada. At bir...We have a$2 coin called a Toonie in Canada. At birthdays we invite relatives and guests to bring one in lieu of a gift. We then buy one present instead of many little ones. We also make a donation with half the money to a kids charity.Lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00688103165159466960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-25445216157028695282013-12-27T21:10:14.155+00:002013-12-27T21:10:14.155+00:00We also talk to our kids about finances, in a way ...We also talk to our kids about finances, in a way they can understand, and also such that we make it a family decision/conversation. This year, we have an added expense for 10 months (our choice) that benefits our family long term, but also makes out budget tighter. Before the expense started, we sat all the kids down (9 through 24) and explained what that would mean - not buying some grocery Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02999838147173390906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-21015473602027149172013-12-27T20:32:51.534+00:002013-12-27T20:32:51.534+00:00For Christmas we get each child 3 gifts on Christm...For Christmas we get each child 3 gifts on Christmas Day. The gift of gold something the child really wants. My 9 year old wanted a watch. I found a really nice one for under $15 dollars, you would of thought we got her an ipad or something she was so excited. My 15 year old we got a ping/pong table for $60(after thanksgiving sale), my 7 year old wanted a gerbil, so we got a cage and a gift Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-49691144665948403642013-12-27T15:55:21.908+00:002013-12-27T15:55:21.908+00:00This is such great advice! I, too, have always tri...This is such great advice! I, too, have always tried to limit gifts to something they really want or would use. That's always negated the need to pile on a bunch of presents. Also, on birthdays, it's been the rule that the birthday person is free from chores for the day, can pick the dinner for the family, and even pick the family activity for the night (within reason).Karenhttp://www.writersfitnessplan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-64070397895991428332013-12-27T10:00:57.258+00:002013-12-27T10:00:57.258+00:00Ohhh ! Here in France, we do have library for toys...Ohhh ! Here in France, we do have library for toys (called "ludothèque) next to some regular libraries ! <br /><br />Most of the time (I am too lazy to go to the special library), I borrow books from my local library when my nephews come to my place (cause I don't have any kids so I don't have that much toys or books for kids... but I have many nephews...). <br /><br />In "cecilenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-71199904309297736922013-12-27T08:57:45.039+00:002013-12-27T08:57:45.039+00:00I'm really sleepy to bear with me please :)
t...I'm really sleepy to bear with me please :)<br /><br />thought one: AS a december baby, as she gets older, do try and make sure that her birthday is something as special as a child who's birthday is in July's would be. It REALLY sucked to have "birthday/christmas" gifts (unless they were 'big deal' gifts..) .. right now it doens't matter so much, but later on Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-50787192922152218642013-12-27T07:58:18.236+00:002013-12-27T07:58:18.236+00:00Lol you're reminding me of my mother in law. H...Lol you're reminding me of my mother in law. Her gifts to my husband ALWAYS are socks! Or undershirts! And gifts to me are always napkins. :-D And hand creams...<br /><br />I like your attitude- if you're gonna get something, might as well make it into a present and make it fun...Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-83746157713426702962013-12-27T07:49:05.263+00:002013-12-27T07:49:05.263+00:00Thank you Leila! Isn't it amazing how huge she...Thank you Leila! Isn't it amazing how huge she got? Honestly, its also the hair style and the earrings that make her look older in that pic- she doesn't always look that old...Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-74667763119203435902013-12-27T07:47:32.485+00:002013-12-27T07:47:32.485+00:00That's great to hear! Does your son ever show ...That's great to hear! Does your son ever show resentment for your living more frugally, or does he seem happy enough with it?Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-56441520800592221042013-12-27T07:45:43.921+00:002013-12-27T07:45:43.921+00:00You can look into it- there actually ARE toy lendi...You can look into it- there actually ARE toy lending libraries in some places. And some regular libraries lend out toys. If there isn't one already, you can possibly look into starting a toy lending library in your community...<br /><br />When I go to pick out presents for my kids, I include them in the budgeting. I say "This is how much I am willing to spend on a present. Look around. Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-31444201119558019242013-12-27T07:43:36.878+00:002013-12-27T07:43:36.878+00:00That sounds like fun!That sounds like fun!Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-63743001588813694412013-12-27T07:42:24.048+00:002013-12-27T07:42:24.048+00:00For my older kids, you might have noticed, that I ...For my older kids, you might have noticed, that I go "all out" cheaply for their birthdays. but I see no point in doing it before the kid is old enough to appreciate it. I start at the age of 3.Penniless Parentinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17671140279531925880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-59529898785469381392013-12-27T03:43:56.951+00:002013-12-27T03:43:56.951+00:00Anneliese looks gorgeous! She got so big. I still ...Anneliese looks gorgeous! She got so big. I still remember when she was born.<br /><br />ITA that birthday parties for babies are a total waste of time and money. I like how you choose to spend on birthday presents.Leilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-81106629930239928942013-12-27T02:23:57.252+00:002013-12-27T02:23:57.252+00:00Oh my word! I say almost the exact same thing to ...Oh my word! I say almost the exact same thing to my kids. "We have enough money for everything we need, and enough money for some things we want, and that is a pretty great place to be." <br /><br />We only give gifts on birthdays and Christmas. Since there is an incredible thrill in opening the gifts, we tend to save some of the things the kids need to give at Christmas. A pack ofKristinhttp://tryingtocontrolthechaos.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-63828438393846862652013-12-27T01:12:01.729+00:002013-12-27T01:12:01.729+00:00We are pretty open about our goals and finances wi...We are pretty open about our goals and finances with our 8 year old. He understands that everyone makes choices with their money, and we choose to be a bit more frugal with ours than some of his other friends. We all have goals for the future, including paying off our debt, and therefore, we are all motivated to save a bit more now, and look forward to debt-free living later! With that said, Heather @FrugalGreenBabyhttp://www.frugalgreenbaby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-84542703035547102852013-12-26T23:52:09.178+00:002013-12-26T23:52:09.178+00:00A few months ago we were stuck at home and bored, ...A few months ago we were stuck at home and bored, and at the same time I felt like we didn't have enough toys. We have a couple cars and trucks for two boys, and they are always fighting over them. So I made a big mistake. We took the bus to Goodwill and let them pick out a few new trucks.<br /><br />Seemed great at first. It cost $5. The kids were happy. And not two hours later, my 3yoSheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10853868724554947854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-79312517409003042052013-12-26T23:47:46.336+00:002013-12-26T23:47:46.336+00:00Like the above poster, I like experiences better t...Like the above poster, I like experiences better than things. We also don't do big kid parties. We'll let the birthday kid pick dinner on that night (or night close by if it works out better for everyone's schedule), and then they can pick something to do that week/weekend. Things like rock climbing at the indoor rock wall, going to a museum or doing a day trip. I like books as Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300660817354328186.post-53830161882978279062013-12-26T22:59:35.632+00:002013-12-26T22:59:35.632+00:00When I was little, my mom did try to go "all ...When I was little, my mom did try to go "all out" on holidays, although it was more about making the birthday kid feel special. We would pick an activity we wanted to do (I was a frequent picker of going to the museums, and my brother generally preferred bowling or goofy golf). My mom would usually take us for our activities on discounted days during our birthday "week", cook Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07705810727600832406noreply@blogger.com